Nidderdale High School has a reputation for providing an inclusive and varied curriculum, allowing for students to access a wide range of academic and vocational courses. Students are equipped to take these curriculum opportunities and to realise their enjoyment of learning across a broad range of subjects. The Nidderdale curriculum ensures that academic success, creativity and problem solving, reliability, responsibility and resilience, as well as physical development, well-being and positive mental health are key elements that support the development of the whole child and promote a positive attitude to learning. Students appreciate there are learning opportunities beyond the classroom and ideas and strategies for them to develop their own understanding of how to access these are included in our considerations for the curriculum.
The curriculum incorporates the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum while maximising the opportunity to develop students with a thirst for learning.
The curriculum provides students with memorable experiences, in addition to diverse and rich opportunities from which they can learn and develop a range of transferable skills. The student’s own community, its heritage and traditions are frequently used as a reference point for engaging interest. Our students are proud of where they come from and have a vast knowledge of the traditions of the area. As a relatively small, rural secondary school, we are able to provide a bespoke and varied educational experience, while considering individual needs. Our catchment area takes in a significant number of primary providers, bringing a wonderful variety of experience to our students. Very effective transition allows staff to take individual student needs straight into the initial curriculum offer each year.
One of our key aims is to incorporate the interests of the local community and celebrate these across the curriculum. The implementation of a curriculum which builds on previous learning is paramount to the development seen, this is also reviewed often, and improved, throughout its delivery. Students are consulted about curriculum content and our review processes allow for varied approaches to be employed and adapted over time. This is especially so with different year groups to allow for student engagement to be linked to experience and diversity, as well as academic progression.
The outdoor environment and the local community are considered an opportunity for active learning for our students. School grounds have been developed so they can enrich different curriculum areas, particularly outdoor education provision through a number of subject areas. There are opportunities both within the curriculum and also under the developing NiddVenture programmes which incorporate a wide range of subjects and activities. Learners have access to good quality educational experiences beyond the classroom walls, and for engaging in new developments in various subjects integrated into the curriculum. Bespoke interventions allow for students to experience exceptional pastoral care throughout their school experience. The pastoral care within school has also been recognised nationally for excellence and innovation. Nidderdale High School takes pride in providing a highly inclusive environment, where learners demonstrate high levels of enjoyment in their education while also making very good progress across that curriculum. All staff play an important part in the success of the curriculum by leading a regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration of good practice contributes to the ongoing commitment to evolve and improve further.
The innovative practice across school provides a strong foundation and opportunities for students to collaborate and develop social skills. This curriculum design ensures that the needs of individual and groups of children can be met within the environment of high quality first wave teaching, supported by targeted, proven interventions where appropriate. Enjoyment of the curriculum promotes achievement, confidence and good behaviour choices. Students feel safe to share their learning experience with each other, their parents and carers through individual lessons and also the effective monitoring of positive achievement and behaviour choices. Developing their independence and motivation as learners and their sense of responsibility as future citizens is at the heart of all our learning and teaching.